Paris: The Story Behind the Place de la Concorde

Hi guys! As promised, I will be posting more about Paris. A place that definitely shouldn’t be overlooked is the city’s largest square: La Place de la Concorde. Nowadays, this central spot in the capital of France functions as a major traffic hub, connecting to all sorts of places from every direction. But there is more to the square than meets the eye. Today, I will tell you all about the story behind the Place de la Concorde.

The Story Behind the Place de la Concorde

The major square was first designed in 1755 in honour of King Louis XV, befittingly named Place Louis XV. Later, the square played an important role during the French Revolution, transforming into the Place de la Révolution. The square is the exact spot where Louis XVI, grandson of Louis XV, was executed by guillotine. I’m sure some of you will be familiar with this story. His wife Marie Antoinette suffered the same fate months later.

The Luxor Obelisk and his Lost Twin Brother

The Egyptian pillar-like monument you see in my photos is the 3,300-year-old Luxor Obelisk (Obélisque de Louxor). The pillar takes its name from the temple it orginally came from. In fact, its lonely twin brother still stands at the entrance of the Luxor Temple in Egypt. This other pillar commemorates the reign of Ramses II. The Luxor Obelisk in Paris was a gift to France from Muhammad Ali Pasha in 1829.

From the French Revolution to Harmony Square

As political power was still shifting, the square was continuously renamed for several years. Eventually, the square adopteded a new name: Place de la Concorde (Harmony Square). Since then, it has remained a relatively peaceful place.

Place de la Concorde is still an important node in a network of important landmarks in Paris, especially for visiting tourists that navigate the city for the first time. There are interesting locations to explore in every direction:

North

East

South

West

Hôtel de Crillon

Jardin des Tuileries

Seine River

Champs-Élysées

Hôtel de Crillon was originally a palace for Louis XV, but during World War II, it became the German headquarters. It is a now a famous luxury hotel.

The Tuileries Garden is a popular public park that leads to the Louvre museum. Previously, the garden was part of the monarchy’s private sphere.

The Champs-Élysées is one of the most famous streets in the world, which ends with Napoleon’s Arc de Triomphe.

P.S. If you were wondering; The Eiffel tower is located in a southwestern direction of the Place de la Concorde.

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